Weight lifting exercise device



Feb. 27, 1968 E J. E. MOORE WEIGHT LIFTING EXERCISE DEVICE Filed July31, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR M2 5 Z. MUURE Feb. 27, 1968 J. E.MOORE WEIGHT LIFTING EXERCISE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 31,1964 v INVENTOR. JAMES E MOORE United States Patent Filed July 31, 1964,Ser. No. 386,646 6 Claims. (Cl. 272-84) This invention relates to aweight lifting exercise device and particularly to a device of that sortwhich is worn on the shoulders during exercise, especially legexercises, to allow freedom of the arms for balance and especiallyduring leg exercises such as bar bell squats.

Bar bell weight lifting is a common exercise and physical trainingprocedure for body conditioning. In my copending application SN 355,125,also entitled, Weight Lifting Exercising Device, there is described therelationship between exercising and the use of a device similar to thepresent one. The instant device, in some respects, is a variation of theparticular embodiment shown in said aforementioned co-pendingapplication, especially with respect to ease of putting the device onand taking it off and also in the reduction and cost of manufacturing aswell as allowing more freedom of the body without being confined as muchas in the prior embodiment, and reducing the weight of the deviceitself.

Generally described, the present embodiment is adapted to be placed uponthe opposite shoulders of the wearer either at the back or the front andto support adjustable weights on either side below the armpits andoutside of the body. The present frame for the device is entirely openand the body is not confined in any part of the frame. A main framemember supports protruding weight support and retaining members on eachof the opposite ends thereof and is adapted to extend generally across,transversely of the trunk of the body. A pair of spaced, upwardlyextending shoulder support members are mounted at spaced positions onthe main frame and each of the tops of each of these shoulder supportmembers are curved generally to a contour of a normal upper chest andshoulder. In the present embodiment, the main frame is formed as aU-shaped member with opposed sides supporting the weight support membersand the shoulder support members are made from flat metal strap. Theupper ends' of the shoulder support members where they rest on theshoulders of the body are covered by plastic or rubber foam pads formedin a shape of a channel so that the pads are easily inserted over thestrap shoulder support members to cover one side completely. These foampads provide adequate cushioning to prevent damage to the skin or anysignificant discomfort. The device is positioned on the shoulders eitheron the front of the body or the back of the body. It may be lifted fromthe ground and placed on the shoulders or it may rest on a stand inwhich case the person fits himself into it prior to lifting it from thestand.

A primary object of this invention is to provide an open weight liftingexercise device which is supported on the shoulders and positionsweights on opposite sides of the body beneath the arms and armpits. v.

Another object of this invention resides in the particular constructionof this device utilizing a pair of shoulder support members which may befashioned from metal and a metal frame supporting weights on oppositesides.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a frame for weightswhich is positioned on opposite sides of the neck, is covered by acomfortable material and supports the weights beneath the shoulders.

An optional form of this invention includes a means for supporting aconventional bar bell shaft and bar bells across the front of the bodyin lieu of the weights which extend from the sides of the frame in theother embodiment.

Patented Feb. 27, 1968 Other and further objects and advantages of myinvention will become apparent upon reading the following specificationstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the weight lifting apparatus of thepresent invention positioned on the front of the body with the backentirely open.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1 removed fromthe body.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention shownin FIG. 1 which provides for the use of a common bar bell in lieu of thepermanent weights shown on the FIG. 1 embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an end view looking at one of the foam pads or cushions on oneof the supports.

Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a typical person 10, whodesires to perform knee bends or weight lifting squats, has a neck 12,opposed shoulders 14, arms 16, chest 18, and waist 20.

The weight lifting device of the present invention'is designated as acomplete assembly by the reference numeral 22 and comprises, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a main frame designated as a complete assembly byreference numeral 24 consisting of a straight, flat metal strap member26 bent at opposite ends in degree angles into opposed members 28 ofsubstantially fiat, rectangular construction. Members 28 each has weldedthereto a horizontally protruding weight support member 30 which may beconstructed from a tubular metal shaft welded at one end at 32 torespective member 28. Shafts 30 are adapted to hold selectively apluraltiy of ordinary weightlifitng weights 32 which have open centersprovided with a hub or collar 34 having a removable set screw 36therein. With this arrangement, it is possible to put any number ofweights 32 of anyamount on the shaft 30.

Extending above and substantially perpendicular to the front portion 26of assembly 24' are spaced shoulder support members 40 which constitutethe sole support for the entire apparatus 22 from the shoulders 14 ofthe person 10. Each member 40 is constructed from fiat, metal strapmaterial fastened at its bottom by screws 42 to the frame member 26 andeach member 40 is curved at the top portion 14 to a gentle arcuateformation of any desired length and curvature to fit over the shoulders.It is possible to make the apparatus in different sizes and slightlydifferent shapes contemplating that young people of small size would beusing the device as well as older experienced or professionalWeightlifters having tremendous bodies and large shoulders.

Fitted to each of the upper portions 40 is a soft pad or cushion 46, inthe ment molded from foam plastic material or foam rubber to have acenter channel as shown in FIG. 4 provided with side grooves 50 in whichthe portions 44 of members 40 are fitted. This places one side 52 ofmembers 46 covering the entire area of the upper part 44 of member 40 toprotect the body from irritation or damage and to reduce considerablyany discomfort."Pads' 46 are readily removable by sliding off of theupper portion 44 and may be replaced if damaged or worn and also arereadily assembled when the device is constructed new.

In the modified form shown in FIG. 3, the frame 24 has been replaced bya single cross-member 60 having an inside channel 62 therein formed by aspaced member 64 and having connected thereto and extendingperpendicularly therefrom upstanding shoulder support members 66fastened by screws 68. Each member 66 is bent at the bottom to form achannel 70 with a front portion 72 in which is mounted a set screw 74that may be tightened by hand. The upper portions 76 of members 66 arecurved in the manner defined in connection with the embodiment in FIG. 1and receive the same type of 44 of members present embodifoam pads46 ofthe same construction defined previously V H herein.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the weights 32 and the weight supportshaft 30 have been eliminated asa permanent part of the device and inplace of this a common bar bell 78 with weights 80 that may be removedand replaced and a shaft 82 that is positioned inside of the channels 70and fastened therein by set screws 74. This'particular arrangement isespecially useful to certain types of athletes, such as wrestlers whowish to perform Wrestlers arches and similar exercises that concentrateon certain portions of the trunk rather than just knee bends or weightlifting squats alone that concentrate on the legs.

In the operation of all of the embodiments shown herein it is'to benoted that the frame is completely open and that the body is notconfined at any time. This is particularly useful from a safety andconvenient standpoint as it is easy to get into and out of the deviceand also the device is not as bulky and is not as costly to manufacture.

While I have shown and described a particular form of my inventiontogether with suggested operation and use, this is for illustration onlyand does not constitute any sort of limitation on the scope of myinvention as "various alterations, changes, deviations, eliminations,

modifications and departures may be made from the described embodimentwithout departing from the scope of my invention defined in the appendedclaims.

7 I claim:

" 1. In an exercising device to be positioned on the shoulders of thebody either on the back or front thereof to hang and be supported on thebody for exercising same,

(a) a pair of rigidly connected shoulder support members having endsspaced from each other and. having respective shoulder support portionspositionable on opposite sides of the neck on a respective shoulder,said respective members extending from a respective shoulder down thebody,

7 (b) said members being open at the ends and terminating a shortdistance down the body providing an open support between the shouldersupport portions .of the shoulder support members which may be placed onthe body,

(0) adjustable weight means on said support members below each of theshoulders and armpits,

(d) said ends of said shoulder support members having a soft coverthereon,

'(e) a frame member connecting said shoulder members, said frame memberextending around the body 'on both sides and terminating in a sidemember a short distance around the body and being open between opposedside members to fit over the body when taking itolf or putting it on,and said weight means being attached to each side member.

' 2 Thedevice in claim 1 wherein the soft cover is a pad on eachshoulder member made of a material such as foam plastic.

3. In an exercising device to be positioned on the 6 shoulders of thebody either on the back or front thereof ,to hang and be supported onthe body for exercising same,

(a) a pair of shoulder support members having arcuate ends spacedfro'rn'each other"and being pofitioned on opposite sides of the neck ona respective shoulder,

(b) said members being open between the arcuate ends and terminating ashort distance down the body providing an open support between shouldersupport members which may be placed onlthe. body,

(c) adjustable weight means on said support members below each of theshoulders and armpits,

(d) means connecting said shoulder support members into a rigid, unitarydevice, a

(e) said means connecting said shoulder support members being a framemember connecting said shoulder support members at ends'opposite fromsaid arcuate ends, said frame member extending around the body on bothsides and terminating in short side members a short distance around thebody and being open between opposed side members to fit over the bodywhen taking it off or putting it on.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said Weight means is a weight attachedto each side member. 7

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the weights are mounted on shaftsattached to the side members.

6. In an exercising device to be positioned on the shoulders of the bodyeither on the back or front thereof to hang and be supported on the bodyfor exercising same,

(a) a pair of fiat shoulder support members having terminal arcuate endsspaced from each other and being positionable on opposite sides of theneck on a respective shoulder, (b) said members in (a) being open at thearcuate ends and terminating a short distance down the body providing anopen support between shoulder support members whichmay be placed on thebody,

(c) a fiat frame member connecting said shoulder members, said framemember being bent on each end and extending around the body on bothsides and terminating beneath the armpits a short distance around thebody and being open between opposed side members to fit over the bodywhen taking it off or putting it on and allowing the arms to move freelyabove the weights, (d) a Weight support member attached to each sidemember, (e) weights on each weight support member, (f) and a removablepad on each arcuate end of the shoulder support members.

FOREIGN PATENTS 4/1932 Austria. 1/1935 France ,ANTON O. OECHSLE, PrimaryExaminer.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, F. BARRY SHAY,

Examiners.

w. R. BRowNE, L. J. BovAsso, Assistant Examiners.

1. IN AN EXERCISING DEVICE TO BE POSITIONED ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE BODYEITHER ON THE BACK OR FRONT THEREOF TO HANG AND BE SUPPORTED ON THE BODYFOR EXERCISING SAME, (A) A PAIR OF RIGIDLY CONNECTED SHOULDER SUPPORTMEMBERS HAVING ENDS SPACED FROM EACH OTHER AND HAVING RESPECTIVESHOULDER SUPPORT PORTIONS POSITIONABLE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE NECK ONA RESPECTIVE SHOULDER, SAID RESPECTIVE MEMBERS EXTENDING FROM ARESPECTIVE SHOULDER DOWN THE BODY, (B) SAID MEMBERS BEING OPEN AT THEENDS AND TERMINATING A SHORT DISTANCE DOWN THE BODY PROVIDING AN OPENSUPPORT BETWEEN THE SHOULDER SUPPORT PORTIONS OF THE SHOULDER SUPPORTMEMBERS WHICH MAY BE PLACED ON THE BODY, (C) ADJUSTABLE WEIGHT MEANS ONSAID SUPPORT MEMBERS BELOW EACH OF THE SHOULDERS AND ARMPITS, (D) SAIDENDS OF SAID SHOULDER SUPPORT MEMBERS HAVING A SOFT COVER THEREON, (E) AFRAME MEMBER CONNECTING SAID SHOULDER MEMBERS, SAID FRAME MEMBEREXTENDING AROUND THE BODY ON BOTH SIDES AND TERMINATING IN A SIDE MEMBERA SHORT DISTANCE AROUND THE BODY AND BEING OPEN BETWEEN OPPOSED SIDEMEMBERS TO FIT OVER THE BODY WHEN TAKING IT OFF OR PUTTING IT ON, ANDSAID WEIGHT MEANS BEING ATTACHED TO EACH SIDE MEMBER.